BMW Motorrad has been a pioneer in establishing a more affordable multi-cylinder motorcycle portfolio. The new 450 range of motorcycles is their first step in this direction, being manufactured in partnership with TVS Motors. The first in the group is the BMW F 450 GS, which is the first multi-cylinder ADV bike of its kind in that displacement class and price point.
Launched at a starting price of Rs 4.7 lakh (ex-sh), the BMW F 450 GS is offered in three variants, with the mid-spec Exclusive priced at Rs 4.9 lakh and the top-spec GS Trophy priced at Rs 5.3 lakh (both ex-sh). At the media ride event in Goa, we experienced the GS Trophy edition and it is the only variant to come with ERC (Easy Ride Clutch) and this is what we think about the BMW F 450 GS and ERC.
BMW F 450 GS Review
The F 450 GS was unveiled a long time ago and the design of this motorcycle is familiar to enthusiasts by now. It is a beautiful machine with attractive looks and great road presence. Color options are straightforward – the base and Mid Exclusive variants only get Cosmic Black, while the GS Trophy only gets the attractive Racing Blue Metallic. I want the mixture to be pure white.
The headlight design is perhaps the most extraordinary, as it is inspired by the larger R 1300 GS. The vertically stacked LED headlights with X-shaped LED DRLs are well-crafted, but it reminds us of the ‘Predator’ face. Google it. The silhouette and overall aesthetics are in line with the larger GS bikes in the portfolio, which is a good thing.
The gold paint on the handlebar and USD telescopic front fork look particularly premium and the funky white painted mainframe is only with the GS Trophy variant. The India-spec version lacks wire-spoke wheels and gets alloy wheels as standard across all variants. There is also no luggage rack, giving it a clean aesthetic. The front brake disc placement looks unusual and takes away from the otherwise premium stance.
Equipment and facilities
Starting with the base ‘Base’ variant, we get quite a few features as standard. These include a 6.5-inch TFT screen, BMW’s signature rotary dial seen with larger bikes, heated grips, adjustable lever, adjustable rear brake lever, 43 mm USD telescopic front forks, all LED lighting, dual-channel ABS, traction control, 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheels and more.
The mid-spec Exclusive variant adds several other features in an attempt to create a middle ground below the GS Trophy variant. It brings off-road foot pegs, a tall transparent windshield, a quickshifter (Shift Assistant Pro), Riding Modes Pro, plastic belly pan, knuckle guards and more. We would have liked to have had a GS Trophy Edition without ERC (Easy Ride Clutch) or a Special Edition with adjustable suspension.
The top-spec GS Trophy variant brings BMW Motorrad Tricolor paint scheme, tinted rally style windshield, white painted main frame, white knuckle guards, metallic (aluminium) bash plate, fully adjustable (compression, rebound) USD telescopic front forks and the most notable feature, ERC (Easy Ride Clutch). This could either be a boon or unnecessary for motorcyclists and will divide opinion.
Performance and powertrain
The F 450 GS is the first twin-cylinder motorcycle from the BMW Motorrad and TVS Motor partnership. The name may say 450, but this engine actually displaces 420cc. It is a parallel-twin liquid-cooled engine with a 135-degree crank, producing around 48 bhp of maximum power and 43 Nm of peak torque, mated to a 6-speed gearbox. The top-spec GS Trophy variant we experienced came with a quickshifter and ERC.
It’s a buttery smooth engine and perfectly captures the essence of the big Beemers. Even the exhaust sound is quite raucous and attractive. This is an engine that will appeal to many people and is full of character.
Throttle response and overall on-off throttle shift were well adjusted for this price segment. The power buildup is linear and the acceleration is addictive, delivering a strong and impressive performance every time you pull the throttle wide. 0-100 km/h comes within 6 seconds (speedo indicated).
easy ride clutch
We have to talk about ERC, because the BMW F 450 GS is currently the most affordable motorcycle in India to offer this feature. This is not an automatic gearbox, but an automatic clutch. You still get the traditional clutch lever and gear shifter, but their use has been significantly reduced. In simple terms, it works like a centrifugal clutch mechanically integrated into the gearbox.
The system cannot be turned off, as it is not electronic. You need to use the clutch lever only when starting the bike. After that, clutch operation becomes optional, especially with the quickshifter available on the GS Trophy variant. It takes some getting used to, but it proves to be quite convenient in stop-and-go traffic.
ERC essentially brings scooter-like ease to city riding, while also retaining manual controls for highway or spirited riding. However, it is important to note that gear shifts still need to be done manually, and the rider must ensure the correct gear at all times. The bike also assists by suggesting appropriate gear on the instrument cluster.
Our main complaint is that the bike can roll even when put into first gear, so riders may want to be careful, especially on slopes. Also, the system only activates after about 2,500 rpm, so conventional half-clutch control is not possible.
ride and handling
The 14L fuel tank looks huge, but is adjustable with a smooth saddle. The seat height is a bit high at 845 mm, but the weight is 178 kg, which makes the BMW F 450 GS manageable for a 6-foot tall guy like me. The weight of 178 kg is quite low, considering that this is a large ADV motorcycle with a twin-cylinder engine. The ergonomics are straightforward and comfortable over long distances. The rider footpegs are set a little backwards which we don’t mind.
Fully adjustable suspension allows riders to alter the setup to their liking with compression and rebound. Even with the default settings, we found the suspension setup to be quite suitable for Indian roads, but a slightly stiffer setup is recommended due to undulations due to vertical movement on the road. It’s eager to bend and holds line well.
Bump absorption is also commendable and makes for a light ride on Indian roads. Experience can be carried forward as per preference. Braking performance was also adequate with strong bite and progression. However, we would have preferred a twin disc setup at the front for premium aesthetics. If the Benelli 302R can have twin discs at the front, why not the BMW F 450 GS?
Features and Technology
As far as features are concerned, the BMW F 450 GS is quite well equipped. It has heated grips as standard which can come in handy while riding in Ladakh. Additionally, a 6.5-inch TFT instrument cluster, rotary dials and switchgear are also standard, making the digital experience the same across all variants.
BMW’s dials and switchgear are an absolute pleasure to use and offer the best experience in the business. This 6.5-inch cluster is crisp in resolution and quite bright even in hot, humid and sunny Goa. The menus are well laid out and intuitive to use with an intuitive UI. The cluster supports Bluetooth connectivity via the BMW Motorrad Connect app with smartphones and even audio devices integrated into the helmet of the rider and even the pillion.
With the app, one can access the navigation feature without a BMW account and phone number verification, which we appreciated. There’s also a Type-C USB port for charging your phone or peripherals.
Should you buy one?
Although the launch prices are introductory, we think the BMW F 450 GS is well worth the price considering what it has to offer. It is currently the most affordable twin-cylinder ADV, the most accessible BMW GS and the only bike in the region to offer an automatic clutch. The local manufacturing has ensured that the pricing is competitive and it undercuts its direct rival, which is the Honda NX500 and will take on upcoming multi-cylinder ADVs like the Royal Enfield Himalayan 750 and the Aprilia Tuareg 457.
